Rutland planners are recommending councillors approve a north-west extension to Greetham Quarry.

This is so 3 million tonnes of limestone aggregate and 0.1 million tonnes of building stone can be accessed over a further 20 years using a new site access on Thistleton Lane.

The application from Mick George Ltd will come before the planning committee of Rutland County Council when it meets next on Tuesday September 21.

A report prepared by council planning staff says the application is subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment and further information, which provides details of the proposed development including social, economic, natural, built, and historic environmental impacts associated with the proposal.

Following consultation on the application three objections have been raised by the council's Ecology, Environmental Health and Highways and Transport sections but "suitable worded conditions" can be imposed on any grant of planning permission.

Objections were received from Greetham Parish Council and individuals from the local community. Key issues raised include amenity (dust and noise), transport movements, and restoration, it continued.

Taking this into account and the environmental information supplied by Mick George Ltd and others, and assessing it against the policies in the adopted Minerals Core Strategy, the application was also "found to be acceptable."

The report summarised: "Having weighed the wider public benefits of the scheme against the less than substantial harm to the local heritage assets it is considered that the proposed development would ensure continued supply of aggregate for the local construction industry and locally sourced building stone.

"The proposal would also provide for public benefits including maintaining existing employment positions as well as benefits associated with the final restoration scheme, e.g. environmental and green infrastructure enhancements.

"On balance it is considered that these benefits outweigh the potential